Saturday, April 27, 2013

We had the most awesome class teacher ever - he was the epitome of everything a teacher should be. He was firm but very kind and he made learning fun.

He was also our English language and literature teacher and "My Family and Other Animals" is a book that is etched in our minds. Literature became one of my favourite subjects because of the way he taught it.

My first crush at school - he was so sweet and cuteness personified. A corner of my heart still belongs to him. I had my first ever school dance with him - the memories of that magical moment never leave.

And I won 3rd prize for Hindi Elocution after making a complete hash of it the year before.

X - Standard 10 - The Map Room

Our classroom was called the Geography or Map room as it had maps hung everywhere not for decor but storage but it seemed like the maps were for decor! I think it was the brightest and airiest classroom of all in the whole school.

Our class teacher was our Geography teacher as well. For some unknown reason I was one of her favourite students and hence I scored over 90% in Geography that year.

XI - Standard 11 - Last year at school

We were the privileged class to have the most coveted classroom tucked away behind the school gym.

The room had wooden slats in its windows and a birds eye view of the whole school. No one could look into it but it was a vantage point to watch all comings and goings and to alert the class when the teacher walked towards it.

It was sad leaving school - so many wonderful memories and so many friends left behind. But thanks to FB so many are back in touch again.

Here are some pictures of my Standard 9 classroom that I took on my last visit. Such a thrill to go back and find that of the few classrooms that were unlocked, my std 9 class was one of them.

The classroom is back to front now and blackboards replaced by whiteboards

but otherwise pretty much the same!

my desk - except we faced the other way.

Enjoy this clip from "To Sir With Love" - another awesome movie that brings back a few memories.

Suzy is a nickname I had in school that I use as my virtual name. Some of my classmates still call me Suzy. Long story about how I got it. My real name means "Earth" (as in the planet) in Sanskrit and my Chinese astrology element is also Earth. Maybe that's why I feel so connected to the earth. btw Suzy means "Lily" - I'm all nature!
My brother took great delight in calling me "Mati ben" (Miss Mud) when we were children. He's lucky that I have a great sense of humour.

I love the hills and mountains. There is something very spiritual about mountains.Each morning I sip my tea (chai), watch the hills, listen to some devotional music. It's so peaceful and very serene.

view of the hills from my window

I love watching sunsets particularly at the beach. There's something very calming about hearing the sound of the ocean. Often when I meditate I close my eyes and imagine myself at the beach watching a spectacular sunset or sunrise, with the waves gently lapping the shore. Meditation nourishes my soul and connects me with Spirit.

sunset over the Arabian Sea

Photography is one of my passions. My love for photography began when I was very young as my dad was an avid amateur photographer. I have no understanding of the techniques of perfect photography, but I constantly remind myself of my dad's words:

"photography is all about composition. your photo should tell your story."

I love poetry. Poems, for me, are the language of love and I am a hopeless romantic. I try to weave my spiritual beliefs and romance into my poems that I share on my blog Reflections Of My Soul. I also love Haiku. One can say so much in so few words. Some of my favourite poets are Rabindranath Tagore, Rumi, and Khalil Gibran. My favourite book is Khalil Gibran's "The Prophet".

Although I love my job and what I do, my passion lies in humanitarian aid work. I believe that this is my calling and someday that is what I will do. During my school days I was a member of the interact club which is the junior arm of the Rotary club. On some Saturdays we visited an orphanage and I loved going there. The children were so beautiful and I loved being with them. The energy there was so high. Perhaps the seeds were sowed then, which reminds me of these words from a Simon and Garfunkel song:

"And the vision that was planted in my brain, still remains"

Now each Saturday morning is spent at the fruit and vegetable market. It's great to be outdoors in the fresh air and to spend some time with friends. The market place is so colourful and also has a high energy buzz about it.

My spiritual quest began about 15 years ago and in this time I have learned that the Universe has a plan all of its own. I have finally succumbed to its force and stopped trying to plan my life, direct it or drive it. Going with the flow has simplified my life and made it infinitely easier and happier.

I look back sometimes and live the beautiful moments that bring a smile to my face and lift me up. I have learned to let go off the bad ones or those that no longer serve any purpose. I don't think of the future, and I live my life in the now:

"Following Universe's flow with Bhakti and Shradha"

Bhakti = heartfelt devotion and love for the Divine

Shradha = unconditional, unquestioning, absolute faith in the Divine

Oh btw, my favourite other super hero is Spiderman. I mean how can I not love Spiderman after this!

at Universal Studios LA.

Grateful for the many adventures I've had and the places I've visited, for all the people who have come into my life and those who have departed and particularly my dear late father who was the best ever, for my children who are my strength and joy, for a benevolent Universe that continues to surprise and amaze me as life progresses, and for my Lord who nourishes my soul.

Friday, April 19, 2013

Quintessential means "Representing the most perfect or typical example of a quality or class"

I have to say the letter Q stumped me as well and then quintessential kept appearing in my mind.

Quintessential? Quintessential what? and then the brain flashed the word Love so Quintessential Love it is and with that I will go ...

Love is such a beautiful and profound emotion when one connects with the spiritual aspect of it.

There are so many famous couples in history Anthony and Cleopatra, Lancelot and Guinevere, Paris and Helen of Troy and one of my favourites Romeo and Juliet among many others.

In India too we have some very Divine couples depicting the most perfect love: Rama and Sita, Krishna and Radha, Shiva and Sati-Parvati. These are "shashwat jodis" - perpetual, permanent couples - soulmates never parted in life and in Spirit - always merged for only together are they whole.

But I wanted to define quintessential love for me, that is what I understand it to be from my perspective so penned it down in a poem, for poems are the language of love,

I have lived through the aeons of time with you

We have traversed universes in a multitude of lifetimes

I have loved each beat of your heart, every thought in your mind

I have smiled at every rhythm your soul has orchestrated

And immersed myself in the ecstasy of your every moment

I have seen you in every aspect of my existence

And felt you in the minutest fibre of my being

I have merged my consciousness with yours

And thus bridged the chasm of this vast, endless cosmos

Wherever we are, we reach through thin veils

And blend together into one presence

Now, and then forever.

Grateful for that soul that brings my definition of quintessential love to life, wherever you are.

And to all my Indian friends, Happy Ram Navami - God's love for us is truly quintessential and ineffable.

Thursday, April 18, 2013

Rotorua is the geothermal activity pool of New Zealand and the Pohutu Geyser is New Zealand's answer to the Old Faithful in USA. It spurts up to twenty times per day and can reach heights of up to 30 metres (100 feet).

Here are some pictures I took some years ago when I visited Rotorua.

Pohutu Geyser erupting - quite spectacular to watch particularly when you stand on the bridge.

Photos however are best taken from afar.

boiling mud pools

Name of the thermal valley where the Pohutu Geyser is situated.

Te Whaka-rewa-rewa-tanga-o te-ope-taua-a-wahiao means "the gathering place for the war parties of Wahiao". The name is usually shortened to Whakarewarewa.

And more geothermal activity in Rotorua at Wai-O-Tapu which means "Sacred Waters".

Wai-o-tapu panoramic view of the central pools

part of the Sulphur Cave crater

The Devil's Bath

Here are some more pictures - source wikipedia

Artist's palette

Champagne Pools

image by Christian Mehlfuehrer

This world of ours is so interesting. Grateful for an amazing world and for the chance to see some of its unique wonders.

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About Me

I dream, because dreams make life worth living. I write to share the insights of my soul. I rhyme because poetry brings me great joy. I photograph to capture a moment in time to remember forever.
And please credit my blog and link back to it if you reproduce anything. Thanks.